Pupils at Llanigon’s County Primary School will be able to make the most of the spring sunshine thanks to a new garden provided with help from energy infrastructure company, National Grid.
The new garden area was built to a pupil’s winning design, and drawn up by an architect. Thanks to National Grid, the children now have raised beds, bird feeders and markings for games – and they will be using the garden to take part in special workshops as the school looks to maximise the garden’s outdoor learning opportunities.
The project is one of a number of local initiatives supported though National Grid’s Community Involvement Programme, which aims to leave a positive legacy for communities close to the recently-completed Felindre to Tirley natural gas pipeline. Because of the school’s proximity to the pipeline, the Llanigon children were able to monitor its progress through regular “Welly Walks” and recorded that progress through various art projects. It even featured in the leavers’ end-of-year play.
Head teacher, Mrs Amanda Edwards said: “The garden and new games are not only a great boost to the pupils, they are of real benefit to the local community, who can use it after school, during the holidays and at weekends.
“The pupils monitored the pipeline’s progress closely and it features heavily in their work. The school is highlighted in a case study in the Welsh Assembly Government ESDGC document as an example of good practice. The children and staff of the school used drama, role play and debate to consider the choices and decisions made by the community relating to the pipeline. They were able to relate this theme to wealth and poverty by exploring the unequal effects of the pipeline on local families and businesses and to consider how the 21st century needs and technologies affected the natural environment and their perception of it.”
National Grid senior project manager, Brian Smethurst, said: “We appreciate that our construction works were an inconvenience to the communities along the route, especially with the increased volume and size of traffic using the local roads. Supporting school projects such as this is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the community for their tolerance and understanding.”
The Felindre to Tirley natural gas pipeline is part of National Grid’s Milford Haven Gas Connections Project, which will be able to provide around 20% of the country’s gas supplies when running at full capacity.
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Further media information from Caroline Davidson, Project Communications on 07785 254696